Severe wind storm strikes Atlanta

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A severe wind storm has hit the centre of the US city of Atlanta, causing damage to skyscrapers, hotels and two sports arenas.

National Weather Service officials said they were unsure if the 60mph (97km/h) winds in the city, in the state of Georgia, were caused by a tornado.

The storm struck during a basketball game at the Georgia Dome, sending fans and players running for cover.

At least nine people have been injured as a result of the storm.

Georgia Power Co said about 10,000 customers had lost power in the area.

Falling debris

"We are doing everything in our power to respond to what we now know was a tornado that came through," said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

Meteorologists form the National Weather service would only describe the storm as a "possible tornado", however.

At the Georgia Dome, witnesses described the stadium roof rippling in the heavy winds, and metal bolts and washers falling onto spectators.

The nearby Philips Arena, where the Atlanta Hawks were playing the Los Angeles Clippers, also suffered damage.

The headquarters of news network CNN was also hit by the storm, sustaining damage to ceilings and windows.